Taronga and Melbourne Zoo challenged by monkey escapes, false alarms and euthanasia

Zookeepers at Taronga Western Plains Zoo identified that a spider monkey had left its habitat in the morning of 2nd January while on 3rd January a false alarm was activated at Melbourne Zoo followed by a difficult euthanasia decision.

While Spider monkeys are small, arboreal primates and are classified as non-hazardous, Taronga Zoo cordoned off an area of the zoo on the morning of the 2nd January to ensure a safe and stress-free return of the animal.

Taronga Zoo released a statement noting “Keepers worked swiftly and professionally and through their fantastic rapport with the animal, were able to get him into a secure area of the zoo.

“The spider monkey appears to be well but will be checked by vets as a precaution. He and his companion will be moved to a back-of-house habitat.

The zoo remained open.

The following day on 3rd January, Melbourne Zoo visitors were either evacuated or put into lockdown in the afternoon after an emergency alarm was activated.

Sensationalist media reported that a baboon was on the loose with headlines such as “chaos has erupted at a major zoo after fears of a dangerous animal escape prompted an immediate emergency lockdown.”

This was not the case with Melbourne Zoo releasing a statement noting “Melbourne Zoo went into lockdown for less than 10 minutes this afternoon when an Emergency Alert was mistakenly activated.

“There was no emergency and visitors were able to continue enjoying their Zoo visit.”

When asked how an emergency alert could accidentally be activated, a spokesperson for Melbourne Zoo advised an investigation will be conducted by the Zoo.

The day proved to be a challenging one for Melbourne Zoo as hours after the false alarm incident, the Zoo’s beloved 45-year-old Sumatran orangutan, Kiani, was euthanised by veterinarians.

Kiani’s health deteriorated from age-related conditions in recent weeks, having surpassed the average life expectancy of about 40 years.

She had spent her entire life at the Zoo and was known for her calm and inquisitive nature.

Only two of the critically endangered species are now left at Melbourne Zoo including Kiani's 33-year-old daughter Gabby.

Image top: Spider Monkeys (illustrative only). Credit Taronga Zoo; image above: Melbourne zookeepers made the difficult decision to euthanise Kiani after her health deteriorated due to age-related conditions